Sheridan Smith is Menier’s Funny Girl

Sheridan Smith will return to the London stage this autumn to play the iconic role of Fanny Brice in much-loved musical Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The Olivier Award-winning actress heads back to the theatre from 20 November in the production directed by Michael Mayer, which will run at the London Bridge venue until 5 March.

Funny Girl, which launched Barbra Streisand to stratospheric fame when she starred in it on Broadway and on the big screen, follows the life of Brice as she rises from the Lower East Side of New York to become a huge Broadway star.

The musical, with lyrics by Bob Merrill and music by Jule Styne, features classic songs including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade.

Smith, who has won Olivier Awards for her performances in Legally Blonde The Musical and Flare Path, last appeared at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Little Shop Of Horrors, which proved so successful that it transferred to the West End. One of Britain’s most acclaimed young actresses, she has garnered acclaim for productions ranging from Hedda Gabler and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on stage to Mrs Biggs, The C Word and Cilla on screen.

Smith’s Funny Girl co-stars are yet to be announced.

The combination of Smith and an iconic musical theatre role will have expectation high for the production, as will the Menier’s track record for producing hit musicals that transfer. Funny Girl, which is being presented in association with international producers Sonia Friedman and Scott Landis, follows in the footsteps of Menier Olivier Award winners Sunday In The Park With George, La Cage Aux Folles and Merrily We Roll Along.